Module 6: Healthy Practices: Safety and Wellness

Healthy Physical Environment for Children

Page 13

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Keeping children safe from harm is an important job. Think of all the ways children could potentially be injured: from burns, objects falling, entrapment, falls, weapons, loud noises, tripping, pinches, punctures, crushing injuries, cuts, etc. Your role is to remove as many hazards as possible, exposing them to as few risks as possible. The Washington State Laws, or WACs, have outlined some of these risks and have prescribed ways licensed programs must meet with safety standards.

You should be aware of the requirements for the following:

Exits, Stairs, and Decks

Shelving and portable furniture

Radon, chemicals, lead and arsenic exposure

Electrical outlets

Shielded light bulbs

Glass doors and windows

Locks

Working telephone

Screens and windows

Safe water and water play

Fences and playground surfaces

Ventilation and temperature requirements

Animals, fish or pets

It is impossible to memorize all of the health standards and regulations aimed at keeping children and staff out of harm’s way. Use your Child Care Center Licensing Guidebook and FHCC Guide as a reference. Work with your licenser, public health department, and fire department to stay up-to-date. Once a safe environment is set up, it needs to be maintained. Cleaning procedures for surfaces and equipment are spelled out for all to follow. The many things that children come in contact with should be relatively easy to clean, so avoid things that cannot be scrubbed “shiny clean.” Know the approved bleach / water solutions for surfaces and toys and keep a record of the cleaning schedule. Even with all precautions in place, accidents will happen, so you need to be prepared. Start with a well-supplied first aid kit for your classroom, playground and vehicle (the list of supplies for the first aid is in your guidebook or guide).

Each staff member must know where the first aid kit is kept. If you are going away from the center on a walk or a field trip, be sure to bring along a first aid kit. At all times, at least one staff member per group of children must have current first aid and age-appropriate CPR training. If first aid is required, stay calm. After treating an injury, remember to enter the necessary information in your accident/incident log and complete an incident report for the child’s parents to sign and keep. Keep a copy of the incident report in the child’s file. If an injury results where professional medical attention is required, you must notify your licensor and provide a written copy of the incident report. NOTE: There is a difference between an injury and an incident. The general rule is if it is an injury, a third party needs to be involved—that is, a professional. It is considered an incident if it can be handled with minor first aid applied.

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